India and the US will hold their first ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue intended to expand “global strategic partnership.” Whether it can help overcome the drift and uncertainty that has crept into bilateral ties is anyone’s guess. The fate of the Indo-Pacific region hinges on this crucial question. On September 6, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are holding talks with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.